Michael Jackson isn't the only one singing 'Dirty Diana.'The folks of the beautiful island of Jamaica are singing the same tune about Diana Ross, who showed locals what she really thought of them – during her main attraction headlining gig of the "2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival."
And in true-to-life form, the Caribbean natives showed her what they thought of her too.
Throngs of audience members, estimated at 40,000, heckled and booed the Motown diva throughout her hour-long set last night at the Acquaduct Rose Hall in Montego Bay. (Exclusive TMZ.com video below.)
"Jamaica is one of the toughest crowds," a tourism official was overheard saying in a gated V.I.P. section located to the left of the stage, as the boos grew louder and louder through Ross' set.
What was the beef?
Well, "to honor Miss Ross' wishes," unscrupulous concert promoters shut off gargantuan-sized television monitors, which were broadcast at every other concert performance throughout the three-day event -- believed to be the largest staging of the festival.
No one could've imagined the true meaning of what the "wish" would entail, when they first heard the announcement there would be no videotaping Ross' set. Folks located in the nether regions of the venue (which is the size of soccer/football field) couldn't see any of the aging diva's set from any vantage point.
For decades, the Grammy Award-less chanteuse has been known to put on one-hell-of-a show replete with ostentatious costume changes and a litany of music that was once considered the soundtrack of America.
Too bad most couldn't hear the mucho-maned singer bellowing out old Supremes hits like 'My World is Empty Without You,' 'Where Did Our Love Go?', 'Baby Love ' and maneuver through solo material such as 'Upside Down,' 'The Boss' and 'Love Hangover,' which appeared – at closer inspection – to be electronically enhanced.
Ross' children Chudney Lane Silberstein, Tracee Ellis and Evan, who sat on the side of the stage to offer encouragement and emotional support to their beloved mom, seemed visibly shaken during the booing, and exited the stage (security guards escorting them to their long black stretch limousine) without speaking to stagehands as their mother sang her signature 'Mahogany/Ain't No Mountain High Enough' medley.
In true diva form, Ross went out on a high note – with her updated version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.'
The way the island locals seemed to feel she can do just that – without them.
Festival spokesperson Carlette DeLeon issued a statement this afternoon admitting that "the much anticipated performance of Diana Ross on Saturday proved somewhat disappointing to many patrons who expected a very interactive set."
"Miss Ross' request to have a restricted display of her performance however, inconvenienced patrons who were left feeling distanced from the stage and her performance," she continued.
According to DeLeon, TurnKey Productions -- organizers of the Festival – indicated that limited notice of Ross' restriction was given. "Delano Forbes, of Phase Three Productions, noted that image magnification is a standard within the industry and as such, Miss Ross' request for a limited display just before her performance was surprising."They're insisting that "however in the interest of patrons' enjoyment of the Festival a compromise was reached which saw a controlled display of her entire performance."
Not so says festival-goer Karl Campbell, who told The BV Newswire that he and his girlfriend squandered $614 US for three-day V.I.P. festival passes. "It wasn't a good experience," he said. "She didn't show any consideration to the people in the front, nor the people in the back. It was a disservice for everybody and that wasn't correct."
"It was the only video that wasn't shown and it's an injustice to everyone," Campell, who said the festival was well marketed and promoted on the Internet, added. "The entire show was just the worst."
Even today at the Sangster International Airport, people were still reeling about being short-changed by Ross. "She's a crazy woman," one Air Jamaica patron was heard telling her travel party.
"Many persons attending last night's event were persons who were looking forward to this performance for months," local entertainment television correspondent Candice Buchanan said. "[They were] saving up their moneys to make sure they wouldn't miss this once in a lifetime performance by their favorite star Diana Ross."
"Now for them to get there and be deprived of even a glimpse of Miss Ross was indeed a major blow," she added. "That coupled with the fact that her performance was low energy and filled with lip syncing led to the [reaction] she received. Apparently Jamaicans felt dissed by the diva and lost interest."The producers apparently "regret the inconvenience to patrons and sincerely hope that this experience will not negate the wonderful overall experience."
Yeah, okay.
A rep for Ross, who was reportedly paid a whopping $300,000 (US) for the one-hour gig, was not available at deadline today.
All in a day's work.
1. WHO IS THAT
SEXY at 6:09PM on Jan 27th 2008